I passed a quiet Christmas with my friends Shanti and Tony in our peaceful home in California. We did the usual of sleeping late or as late as we could outside of our normal sleep schedules. We gathered in the living room with our two shitzus and opened an array of gifts. However, this Christmas was unique for me in other ways. It was only the second time I had been away from my family for this holiday. The first time was in Chicago and I was completely alone on Christmas day. It was very lonely and I vowed never to be in that situation again. I think I didn't fly home because of lack of flying money. This year, as then, I chose not to go home because I have very recently moved to California from Florida. However, unlike in Chicago, I felt loved and cared for on Christmas morning. I was with people who wanted me with them, just like family. Also, this was the first year ever that I was delighted by everything I received. There wasn't a single item that I wanted to return or wasn't right for me. It's not about the gifts, but it's disturbing when those closest to you don't know you well enough to give want you like. After the gifting was over, we went out for brunch at the local IHOP, not because it was our first (or second, or third, or any) choice but because it was open. Later we went to see Milk at the cinema in Ventura. We had set out for Santa Barbara but couldn't find a cinema playing it at a convenient time nor a warm place to hang out while we waited. So we drove through the hills and along the coast just to see what we could see until we made our way back down to Ventura. Just prior to slipping into our cinema seats, we made a pit stop at Starbucks for something warm. The day was chilly and overcast with periods of light, misty rain. I loved the movie. Have you seen it? It's kind of a docu-drama based on the life of Harvey Milk (played by Sean Penn) who was a gay rights activist in the 60's, 70's, and 80's until he was assassinated by a jealous coworker. His remarkable life was cut short like so many others who strive for change but his life's work should never be forgotten. It's sad that we are still fighting for gay rights in this country today. It's inconceivable to me why people seek to see the differences between us instead of that which brings us together like our humanity, our culture, our nation. The right to love and care for another and benefit from another should not be subject to public vote. It should not be governed by laws. So we continue working on that and other pressing matters. After the film, we went back to our house and watched another film called Blume in Love starring George Segal and Susan Anspach. It's basic premise was man falls in love, man cheats on wife, wife leaves him, man sows wild oats, man seeks out wife who has her own life, man wants wife back, man rapes wife and impregnates her, wife takes man back. It wasn't as crude as it sounds from my mini description but that was the basic story.
And now we sit on the edge of 09, five days from going over. I wonder what the new year will bring but without any trepidation. I know I'm where I'm supposed to be and my life is sweet.
Breathe out.
Be.
